vaccinations

For those who eschew the flu vaccine, what would you do if you mentioned to your doctor that you were traveling and your doctor recommended that you get vaccines before you go because those countries are where there are contagious diseases? (Next month I'll be traveling and my doctor recommended that I get vaccines for Hepatitis-A and Typhoid, which I did.)

Erik101 saidI would get the vaccines. But here's the response you'll likely get from other guys:1. "Fuck you doc! I'll take my chances!" or2. "Fuck Europe, South America and Asia! I'm going to Montana instead!"

According to my doctor Europe is like the US; no disease risks. It's only Asia, Africa, and Latin America we have to worry about.

anything you can do to avoid getting seriously ill while visiting developing nations. Its much worse than getting really sick when traveling around North America. Am surprised your doctor did not do Hep-B while doing Hep-A.

Re: Travel, it used to be an absolute requirement. There was a yellow vaccination card that tucked inside your passport. They wouldn't let you off the plane without it. When I travelled on an exchange trip in the 70's, I was even required to get a second smallpox vaccination. In fact, the list was so long that I just assumed that I'd had hepatitis vaccination. But in fact, it hadn't been invented yet!

I did get the A & B vaccination a couple of years ago, but it is a series of three shots spaced over a year or so - just one before you travel isn't enough for lasting protection.

Lumpyoatmeal said[W]hat would you do if you mentioned to your doctor that you were traveling and your doctor recommended that you get vaccines before you go because those countries are where there are contagious diseases? (Next month I'll be traveling and my doctor recommended that I get vaccines for Hepatitis-A and Typhoid, which I did.)

Doc, for three years I rejected the influenza vaccine and remained infection free. The 4th year you gave me the vaccine the influenza vaccine then I had the flu twice after the symptoms of the vaccine were gone. This never happened with the other infections I was vaccinated against so I am skeptical. Explain why I should accept a vaccination that demonstrably failed last time.

Nivek saidanything you can do to avoid getting seriously ill while visiting developing nations. Its much worse than getting really sick when traveling around North America. Am surprised your doctor did not do Hep-B while doing Hep-A.

That's only if Lumpy's trip is not within the next 6 months, since Hep B vaccination is a 3 shot series over 6 months. And then you have to be tested for a titer to be checked for antibodies.

The flu shot is very ineffective. It does come with lots of side effects and if you follow the money, it's a huge profit center for the pharmaceutical companies. I distrust the CDC and FDA like all other branches of big government and big business.

I wish. The typhoid vaccine I just got cost me $40, and that's with health insurance. I have no idea how much my health insurance paid. When you're over 60 it's recommended to get a shingles vaccine; those cost around $230 if your health insurance won't pay for it, and mine does not pay for it.

Nivek saidanything you can do to avoid getting seriously ill while visiting developing nations. Its much worse than getting really sick when traveling around North America. Am surprised your doctor did not do Hep-B while doing Hep-A.

Hopefully all the guys on this site have gotten their Hep B series already.

Wyndahoi saidIf his doctor is any good he should already be vaccinated against Hep B. All men who have sex with men should be!

I'm celibate. My doctor pointed out that Hep B is a concern if you're sharing dirty needles or having unprotected sex, basically the same things that put you at risk for HIV.

Hepatitis B is not as hard to transmit as HIV. But if you are completely celibate then I guess you don't count as "a gay man" (in risk context). Hep A you can get from rimming or infected water.

Flu shot. Probably not a bad idea as long as you can get it a month or more before you leave. Especially for someone who is not 22 years old. Transcontinental travel is a stressor and it leaves you a bit more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Plenty of things you can't vaccinate against as well, e.g. Legionella.

Get the vaccines cause they're likely to work. People like me don't get the flu vaccine (going on 7 years without the vaccine and haven't had the flu) because the flu virus changes every year and the flu vaccine is for previous flu viruses which is why it's iffy that it'll work. It also takes two weeks to fully work on the body and the immune system is also partly compromised from getting the shot, hence some people still get sick shortly after getting the shot. The flu virus only kills those who already have compromised/weak immune systems (kids, immunodefficient, elderly). Let your healthy immune system work for you on this one.

1blind_dog saidLet your healthy immune system work for you on this one.

Seems to me that your healthy immune system is working for you when you get a vaccination; with the flu shot it's a killed virus and our bodies respond to it by generating antibodies for what strains are in the vaccination. I would rather not have the flu virus growing in my body and get sick from it and instead have my immune system take care of it before it makes me sick.

1blind_dog saidLet your healthy immune system work for you on this one.

Seems to me that your healthy immune system is working for you when you get a vaccination; with the flu shot it's a killed virus and our bodies respond to it by generating antibodies for what strains are in the vaccination. I would rather not have the flu virus growing in my body and get sick from it and instead have my immune system take care of it before it makes me sick.

The vaccine for previous years flu virus, not usually the current one. Seven years without the vaccine, seven years without a flu. Kids, immunodeficient, and elderly should get the shot.

I have to be fully immunised with my job.Never had any problems with the flu vaccine until this year.Generally hepatitis A should be a life long vaccination.I've had mine back when I was studying and to this day I still have full immunity.If you're short on time, having at least 2 vaccinations of a 3 dose course before travelling generally should give you immunity, that's allowing at least 2 weeks for it to kick into gear as well.It's kind of like this, 2 vaccines will bring you to the brim of the cup, the third vaccine will ensure you have a good level of immunity.Of course the variation in immunity level is depending on people's metabolisms so that's why some vaccines are a 3 dose course.

Other diseases like Malaria can be treated by taking oral antibiotics throughout the trip, Doxycycline for example.Other things like Typhoid you will always have to re-vaccinate as there are no life long immunity granting vaccines at present.